Hyde Park Bar & Grill   

Hyde Park Bar and Grill used to be someone's house, and it now serves a neighborhood clientele, although it does bring in Austinites from beyond the Hyde Park area. The interior decor is quite subdued compared to the exterior, where a giant foam fork may be found jutting out of the lawn -- one of several different giant food items impaled in the ground at all times. The menu is less bizarre, but it's also not as interesting. Sandwiches, pasta, soup, dumplings and other comfort foods are well-prepared, even if they're not entirely memorable. The fries, however, are renowned throughout Austin -- sources say the secret is in the batter. There's a full bar, and brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays 11AM-3PM. -- Barrett Brown